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| ▲ This photo provided by SM Entertainment shows K-pop girl group aespa. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, June 22 (Yonhap) -- K-pop rookie girl
group aespa has caused a sensation, topping the "24 Hits" chart on
Melon, Korea's largest music site, with its latest song "Next Level."
"Next Level" first topped the chart at 8 p.m. on Monday and has
remained at the top of the chart as of 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
The single beat world-renowned K-pop star BTS' "Butter," which topped
the U.S. Billboard main single chart "Hot 100" for four consecutive
weeks. "Butter" has maintained No.1 on the Melon "24 Hits"
chart since its release on May 21.
It is quite unusual for a rookie idol group like aespa, who debuted eight
months ago, to rank first on the chart.
"Next Level," which was released by aespa on May 17, is a remake of the
namesake hip-hop song that was part of the movie soundtrack "Fast &
Furious Presents: Hobbs & Show," by SM Entertainment director Yoo
Young-jin.
At first, critics criticized that the avatar worldview incorporated in the
lyrics and the unusual song composition would be somewhat unsuitable for a girl
group song.
However, the addictive chorus that starts with the lyrics, "I'm on the next
level," and the sudden mood changes in between the song eventually gained
popularity among the public and gradually rose to the music charts.
The four-piece K-pop act also recently beat Heize's "Happen," Oh My
Girl's "Dun Dun Dance," Justin Bieber's "Peaches" and Brave
Girls' "Rollin" on the music charts.
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